Will Amrabat be dismissed if Manchester United loses to Liverpool? Sir Jim gives his verdict, promising the coach a three-year period to prove himself.

Manchester United earned a crucial 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break, cooling down speculation about Rúben Amrabat’s dismissal. This marked Amrabat’s 50th victory as United’s manager, something none of the Red Devils’ coaches have achieved since Ferguson stepped down. However, his job security is still fragile, as many question whether he can successfully rebuild the team.

After a disappointing season followed by a poor start to the next, criticism of Amrabat is unsurprising. Especially considering the club spent over £200 million on new signings this summer, raising fans’ expectations, only for the subsequent performance to fall short. Yet, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggests that even if Amrabat loses to Sunderland, he might not be sacked.

According to Romano, Amrabat’s position remains secure unless Manchester United suffers an unacceptable heavy defeat. The upcoming away match against Liverpool—the “Red Derby”—could be similar; Amrabat may lose, but not in a humiliating manner. As long as he keeps the team’s performance within acceptable limits, he will retain his job.

Historically, several Manchester United managers have resigned in disgrace after defeats to Liverpool, the most notable being Amrabat’s mentor, José Mourinho.

Romano stated: "Manchester United’s victory over Sunderland has at least temporarily ended speculation about Amrabat’s future, allowing the club to prepare for the international break with a more relaxed mindset. The club has no plans to dismiss Amrabat, and even a loss to Sunderland would not cost him his job. This has always been United’s strategy unless something extremely outrageous occurs, such as a 0-3, 0-4, or even 0-5 thrashing. Losing by scores like 0-1, 1-2, or 2-3 would not lead to Amrabat’s sacking.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe insists he will give Amrabat, who is under pressure, ample time—plenty of it—to prove that he is truly fit to be Manchester United’s manager. Sir Jim remains calm, urges patience from everyone, and cites other successful managers as examples, emphasizing that Amrabat needs at least three years to rebuild.

“I remember the first two years under Ferguson when many called for his dismissal,” Sir Jim said. “Look at Arteta’s early years at Arsenal; he also struggled initially. Ultimately, we seek results but must be patient and not judge everything by short-term outcomes. I believe Manchester United has many strengths, and we must wait patiently because our goal is a long-term plan, not something that shows immediate results. Rúben (Amrabat) needs three years to demonstrate that he is indeed an excellent coach.”

Ironically, Amrabat’s contract with Manchester United lasts only two and a half years, making Sir Jim’s perspective surprising. When asked if he really believes three years is a reasonable timeframe for Amrabat to prove himself suitable as manager, Sir Jim firmly replied, “Yes, I believe three years are necessary because football is not something that can be accomplished overnight.”

Sir Jim also dreams of restoring the youth academy’s former strength. “Manchester United’s youth system has indeed faced issues. A good academy must consistently produce talented players, which is also financially beneficial. But it’s not like flipping a switch; problems in the academy cannot be solved overnight and require time. We have just appointed a new head of youth development.”

Romano also mentioned that Manchester United’s management has not seriously approached any potential new managers. “United’s stance is very clear: they have never contacted other coaches. Over the past ten days, I have been reporting on Gareth Southgate, but in reality, United has never held substantive talks with Southgate or his agent. Southgate has a close relationship with Intersport, but no negotiations have taken place. Manchester United wants to show their support for Amrabat.”